Raised, Rooted, and Walking in Christ's Love
Summary
Today’s focus is on what it means to be raised, rooted, and walking as children of God. Through the gift of baptism, God has taken us from death to life, uniting us with Christ in his death and resurrection. This is not a symbolic gesture, but a real transformation: we are buried with Christ and raised to new life, made alive by the Spirit. Our old nature, once enslaved to sin and the world’s empty philosophies, is put to death, and we are reborn as God’s beloved children. This new life is not static; it is a continual journey of being grounded in Christ and growing in him.
Being rooted in Christ means more than a private faith or occasional participation. It is a life deeply connected to the visible church, where God’s Word is proclaimed and his sacraments are given. The church is not just a meeting place or a social club, but the visible expression of God’s kingdom on earth. Here, we are nourished, forgiven, and strengthened together as one body. The world tempts us with the lie that we can have both God and the world on equal terms, but true blessing comes from delighting in God’s Word, meditating on it day and night, and being firmly established in the faith.
The Christian life is also a walking life—a life of active discipleship. Our conduct, shaped by our union with Christ, is meant to reflect his love and mercy to the world. We are called to serve our neighbors, to bear good fruit, and to resist the pull of false teachings and worldly philosophies. This is not about earning God’s favor, for our forgiveness and identity as God’s children are secured by Christ alone. Rather, our response to God’s grace is to abide in him, to grow in knowledge and maturity, and to walk in love and service.
In a world filled with distractions and competing voices, it is vital to remain rooted in Christ, grounded in his Word and sacraments, and to walk in the freedom and truth of the gospel. This is a life of immense purpose, joy, and assurance, knowing that God is on our side, that we are his, and that he is at work in and through us.
Key Takeaways
- Baptism is not merely a ritual but a real participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. In baptism, God puts to death our old, sinful nature and raises us to new life, making us truly alive in Christ. This transformation is the foundation of our identity and the beginning of our journey as God’s children. [30:42]
- Being rooted in Christ means being deeply connected to his Word, sacraments, and the visible church. The church is not just a building or a gathering, but the place where God’s kingdom is made visible and where we are nourished and protected from the world’s false teachings. To neglect this rootedness is to risk being swept away by the shifting philosophies of the age. [38:00]
- The Christian life is not static but a continual walk—a journey of discipleship shaped by our union with Christ. Our daily conduct should reflect our new identity, as we live out love, mercy, and service to our neighbors. This walking is not about earning God’s favor, but about living out the reality of who we are in Christ. [49:27]
- The world tempts us to believe we can serve both God and the world, but true blessing comes from delighting in God’s Word and being firmly established in the faith. The philosophies and “isms” of every age threaten to draw us away, but being grounded in Christ enables us to discern truth from error and to remain steadfast. [44:00]
- Our assurance and salvation rest entirely on God’s grace in Christ, not on our works or religious performance. We are God’s children because of what Christ has done, not because of our own efforts. Our response is to abide in him, to grow in faith, and to walk in gratitude and service, knowing that God is for us and with us always. [51:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:39] - Theme: Raised, Rooted, and Walking in Christ
[11:21] - Confession and Absolution
[15:52] - Psalm 119 and the Call to Prayer
[16:48] - Collect and Opening Prayers
[27:26] - Gospel Reading: Jesus Teaches on Prayer
[30:42] - Baptism: Dying and Rising with Christ
[38:00] - Rooted in Christ and the Visible Church
[44:00] - Dangers of False Philosophies
[49:27] - Walking in Christ: Living Out Our Identity
[50:19] - Serving Neighbor and Bearing Fruit
[51:18] - Assurance in Christ and Responding to Grace
[52:58] - Confession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed
[59:51] - Prayers and Offering
[01:05:08] - Communion: Christ’s Body and Blood
[01:16:01] - Benediction and Sending Forth
[01:18:30] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
[01:21:13] - Closing Acknowledgments
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Raised, Rooted, and Walking in Christ
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### Bible Reading
Romans 6:3-5 (ESV)
> Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Psalm 1:1-3 (ESV)
> Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
John 3:5 (ESV)
> Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 6, what does it mean to be baptized into Christ Jesus? What are we united with him in?
2. In Psalm 1, what is the difference between the person who delights in God’s law and the one who follows the counsel of the wicked?
3. The sermon says, “In baptism we die and we rise; we are buried and we are reborn.” What does this mean for our old nature and our new life? [30:42]
4. The pastor described the church as “the visible expression of God’s kingdom on earth.” What are some ways the church is more than just a building or a social club? [38:00]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that baptism is not just a symbol, but a real participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. How does this understanding affect the way someone sees their identity as a Christian? [30:42]
2. The pastor warns about being “swept away by the shifting philosophies of the age.” What are some examples of these philosophies today, and why is being rooted in Christ and his church the answer? [44:00]
3. The Christian life is described as a “walking life”—not static, but active. What does it look like for someone’s daily conduct to reflect their union with Christ? [49:27]
4. The sermon says our assurance and salvation rest entirely on God’s grace in Christ, not on our works. How does this truth shape the way we respond to God and live out our faith? [51:18]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Being rooted in Christ means more than a private faith or occasional participation.” How regular is your connection to the church, God’s Word, and the sacraments? What is one step you could take to be more deeply rooted? [38:00]
2. The world tempts us to believe we can serve both God and the world. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to “have it both ways”? What would it look like to delight in God’s Word instead? [44:00]
3. The pastor mentioned that “no pastor should ever wonder if the believers are going to be in church on Sunday.” What are some reasons people neglect gathering with the church, and how can you encourage someone (or yourself) to make it a priority? [38:00]
4. The sermon talks about “walking in Christ”—serving neighbors, bearing good fruit, and resisting false teachings. Who is one neighbor you could serve this week, and what is a practical way to do it? [50:19]
5. The message warns about philosophies and “isms” that can pull us away from Christ. Is there a particular idea or influence in your life that you need to be more discerning about? How can you stay grounded in Christ’s truth? [44:00]
6. The pastor said, “Our response to God’s grace is to abide in him, to grow in faith, and to walk in gratitude and service.” What is one way you can show gratitude to God this week, either privately or publicly? [51:18]
7. The sermon reminds us that “God is on our side, that we are his, and that he is at work in and through us.” When have you recently experienced God’s presence or help in your life? How can you encourage someone else with that assurance? [51:18]
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